My Azalea bush has black on the woody branches. What is it and how do I help it?
Answer
Yvonne, your azaleas sound like they have azalea scale. A terrible thing! The best thing you can do if you don't want to remove the shrubs is to cut out any dead branches and then apply Bayer Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed, or a similar product that contains imidicloprid. Buy it in as small a container as you can as it doesn't take much and follow the directions exactly. This is a systemic, meaning it is absorbed by the plant through the roots, so you have to apply it to the soil. It is quite toxic so be very careful when handling it. Wear rubber gloves, long pants and shirt, sturdy shoes, and preferabaly a mask. Then wash your clothes separately from others after application. Hopefully this will save your plant. I have had success doing the process above. Happy Gardening. ep